What do you get when you cross working harder than you’ve ever worked, a store that even with all your diligence has trended down four years running, and a bank that calls in the entirety of your large business loan – an amount that will force you into bankruptcy? Give up? Shawntá Ray and Rick Harmon of Happy Up were … Read More

QUESTION:  We’re constantly struggling to get rid of hard to sell, excess inventory. Do we just accept our losses and take it off the sales floor or should we continue to take up floor space to try and sell it?  The RETAILMaven ANSWERS:   It is essential the merchandise flow in smoothly and out smoothly.  Retailers spend more time and energy … Read More

By Trudy Salinas It took me a couple of weeks to write this post, because I wanted to make sure that I got it right. I had to let it marinate for a minute. After a particularly grueling day, personally, a couple of weeks ago, I came in to the shop to find this note laying on the floor. It … Read More

This is a new series that I am doing that will highlight an individual retailer and give her a chance to ask me any question.  As your retail profit mentor and your retail maven I will be honest and direct when giving advice.  Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to Pam Blondin.  We will start with a brief … Read More

Celebrate? Really? Whenever I turn the TV news on, I am reminded of all that is wrong in our world.  There seems to be precious little to celebrate about.  Yet I know that if I focus on what is negative, I have a hard time moving forward.  You too?  Yet it feels irresponsible to ignore problems, right?  Wrong.  I learned … Read More